Chico fire victims trying to rebuild after fire

CHICO &GT;&GT; Six years ago on Memorial Day weekend, Juanita Rodriquez and her family moved into their two-story townhouse at 1462 Manzanita Avenue.

On Memorial Day of this year, they lost their home.

A two-alarm blaze ripped through their three-bedroom unit, as well as three other townhouses, displacing 22 people — 10 adults and 12 children, and at least eight pets.

Rodriquez, her mother, stepfather, brother and two younger siblings were celebrating Memorial Day at home when a neighbor told them the back of their home was on fire, Rodriquez said. Her mom attempted to extinguish the fire, but within 15 minutes flames had spread throughout the roof.

The upstairs of units 1, 2, 3 and 4 were destroyed by the blaze, and water damage and debris left the downstairs an unrecognizable mess. A fifth unit also sustained damage and will need to be repaired.

Since the fire, Rodriquez and her family have been staying at a motel and attempting to put their lives back together.

The American Red Cross assisted the five households that were displaced by paying their stay at a motel for three days, but now it's up to those affected to pick up the bill or find a place to live.

Rodriquez and her family are getting by with help from donations, Rodriquez said.

People have been very welcoming and helpful, the 23-year-old said. Her mother's co-workers at the E Center, local schools and friends have been supportive.

Neal Dow Elementary, Bidwell Junior High and Marigold Elementary are some of the schools that have started collecting donations.

Rodriquez's 12-year-old brother, whose birthday is on June 9, didn't want to return to Bidwell Junior because he was worried he'd be in trouble since all his schoolwork, books and backpack were destroyed in the fire, she said. The school welcomed him with open arms and provided him with school supplies, a backpack and P.E. clothes.

Neal Dow Elementary, which is the school of two of the children displaced, has already collected about 11 boxes and bags full of items for the victims, Principal Marilyn Rees said during a telephone interview. The community has been great at responding, she said. Gift cards to grocery stores and retails stores are still needed and recommended.

School staff and teachers purchased air mattresses and bedding for the children to use while they stay with a family friend, Rees said. They were very grateful.

The experience was terrifying for the children and when they returned to school they still had a look of shock in their faces, but they're smiling again, she said. They have a strong mother and a great support system.

The kids' mom, Melissa Kee, is grateful for the outpouring of support, but she still tears up, Rees said.

Manzanita Gardens' on-site manager, Cindy Reed-Vogel, has also been collecting funds and donations for her burned-out tenants.

The manager said she knew something had to be done to help everyone as soon as she learned about the fire.

Reed-Vogel has been coordinating with the fire victims to ask them what they need the most and has been taking donations at her townhouse, which is directly in front of the scorched residences.

The biggest need for everyone is monetary donations to help them pay for motel rooms and food. Gift cards, clothes and pet supplies are also highly needed. At this time, furniture is not preferred because there's nowhere to put it, Reed-Vogel said.

The children, ages 2 to 13, have taken it the hardest and are not doing well, she said. It's been overwhelming and disruptive for them.

Rodriquez's younger siblings have been silent since the fire, she said. They're hardly eating, they can't handle the smell of smoke and freeze whenever they see fire engines. The family is trying to stay in the area and provide the kids with some normalcy, but it's been difficult, she added.

The family was at their former residence on Thursday to rummage through the charred remains, but there wasn't much they could take.

Despite being left with nothing but the clothes on their backs, Rodriquez is thankful to the firefighters "who risked their lives" and everyone who has donated, she said.

Each household will be setting up a bank account, but details weren't available by deadline. People can drop off gift cards, checks and money orders at 1460 Manzanita Avenue, No. 5 — the manager's apartment. The checks should be made out to the families.

Hopefully the community will spread out the donations to the five different households who are all in need, Reed-Vogel said.